Five Ways to Have a Spooktacular Sugar-Free Halloween

You may have noticed that the leaves are falling and the scent of pumpkin spice is in the air. People are hunting down hair-raising experiences, from movie marathons to theme parks. But, one place we definitely do not want to have a hair-raising scare is when looking at our blood glucose meters.

Finding fun ways to participate in harvest season activities that don’t involve sugar is easier than you might think! Read on for five ways to enjoy Halloween without dealing with a blood sugar monster.

1. Pick Out a Pumpkin

A joyful activity that can only be done at this time of year is visiting a pumpkin patch. Find the right one for your family and take it home with you. Pumpkin patches can be a picturesque place to take family photos, enjoy a hayride with a loved one, and support local farmers. When you get home, work together to decide how to decorate the pumpkin you picked. There are endless ways to paint, decoupage, or carve it–you can even decorate and display the final product for diabetes awareness!

2. Whip Up Some Seasonal Snacks

Pumpkin spice is the flavor that gets the most attention in the fall, but there are plenty of ways to get your taste of the season without loading up on a high-carb coffee shop concoction. A low-carb staple, cauliflower, is readily available this time of year, in addition to other delicious and colorful product like squash varieties, turnips, Brussel sprouts, cranberries, and pomegranates. When you decorate your pumpkin (see above), be sure to scoop out the seeds to roast for a high-fiber snack. Toss with a sweet (cinnamon and the sweetener of your choice) or savory (olive oil and salt) seasoning to meet your needs.

P.S. If you really love that pumpkin spice flavor, you can sprinkle pumpkin pie spice in and on food items and beverages utilizing a low-carb sweetener, if needed. Same delicious taste of fall without the blood sugar rollercoaster.

3. Host a Movie Night

Photo credit: Adobe Stock

There are a variety of movie classics associated with Halloween, from family-friendly favorites to chiller thrillers for adults. Gather up friends and family to enjoy your low-carb seasonal foods of choice in the comfort of your own home while watching your flick. Whether you prefer to laugh or be scared, a movie marathon is fun for everyone. You can incorporate movement breaks or gamify the film (example: five pushups every time a character encounters the villain, etc.) to keep the blood pumping during what might normally be a sedentary activity.

4. Get Out in the Brisk Air

After a hot and/or humid summer (depending on where you live), it can feel refreshing to catch a breath of brisk autumn air. Instead of sitting at home to eat holiday junk and ride the blood glucose roller coaster, consider an outdoor activity. Take your pet for a walk, peep (view) some leaves with a loved one, or simply enjoy the last few sunsets before daylight savings time ends and winter begins its quick approach. Fresh air and exercise are always a helpful element of diabetes management. Remember to pocket some fast-acting carbs on the way out the door in case hypoglycemia decides to go along for the ride!

5. Help Those Dealing with Food Insecurity

If you enjoy the rush of giving back around holidays, consider starting with the fun of putting a smile on someone’s face this Halloween. There is a need for food in our communities all year long, but this need steeply rises in the fall and winter seasons. As you think about planning healthy meals for your own family, keep in mind the blessing of sharing your bounty with others. Participating in a food drive, collecting items independently to share with a food bank, or signing up for a shift at a soup kitchen are a few ways to share your dedication to a healthy Halloween with those in your community who may be dealing with food insecurity.

What kind of sugar-free Halloween fun does your family enjoy this time of year?